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The President of the Republic concluded his visit to Armenia16.11.2004
 President Arnold Rüütel and Mrs. Ingrid Rüütel, today, concluded the official visit to the Republic of Armenia. Today, in the morning, the Estonian Head of State delivered a lecture, "Estonia and Armenia in present-day Europe", at the University of Yerevan and answered to numerous questions asked by the students. The Rector of the University, Radik Martirosyan announced the decision of the Council of the University to award an honorary doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) of the University of Yerevan to President Rüütel for his services as a scientist and a public figure.
In his lecture the President of the Republic covered the topic of Estonian-Armenian bilateral relations as well as the topic of the EU Neighbourhood Policy. "Within the framework of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, Estonia continues to also support the solving of so-called "frozen conflicts" in Moldova and the Southern Caucasus. We find, that the European Union's role in the solving of these and other regional conflicts should be increased. Estonia, just as all the other European Union Member States, is interested in the stable development of the whole Southern Caucasus region. We support the peaceful and constructive solving of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, between Azerbaijan and Armenia, within the framework of the Minsk process and the efforts of international organisations to end the conflict," said the Head of State.
In his presentation, President Rüütel also dwelt on cooperation in the field of information technology, the subject that had been brought up several times during the visit. "Cooperation with new neighbours is an activity where the experiences of the European Union's new Member States with carrying out political and economic reforms are especially valuable. We are capable of seeing problems from approximately the same viewpoint as the new neighbours. Estonia's main contribution to the European Union's Neighbourhood Policy could primarily be in the field of information and communication technology, as well as with e-governance. This is a sphere in which Estonia has been quite successful," added President Rüütel.
The President of the Republic visited the old manuscripts museum of the Matenadaran Institute, which is a repository of the most significant historical documents of Armenian culture, the oldest of them dating back to the 5th century. After that, President Rüütel visited the National Art Gallery and familiarized himself with the masterpieces of fine arts exhibited in the Gallery.
The Estonian Head of State visited also Yerevan Brandy Distillery, which is owned by Pernod Ricard, a huge French liquor conglomerate. The factory was established in 1887 and currently employs 480 people, it has partnership agreements with 3000 grape growers and 92 percent of its production is exported to various countries all over the world, including Estonia.
During lunch President Rüütel met with Minister of Trade and Economic Development, Karen Chamarityan. After that, the Estonian Head of State met briefly with President Kocharian again.
In the evening, the President of the Republic visited the Holy Etchmiadzin, the center of independent Armenian Apostolic Church, and met with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch all Armenians. Catholicos expressed his satisfaction that the Armenian diaspora in Estonia, comprising about 2000 people, can gather around the St Gregory congregation of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is functioning in the centre of Tallinn, in the historical building of the former St John's Almshouse Church. The head of the Armenian Church said that the visit of the Estonian Head of State would certainly strengthen Estonian-Armenian relations, which have already a long history, and blessed Estonia and its people.
The President of the Republic thanked Catholicos Karekin II and through him the people of Armenia for very cordial reception. In the words of the Estonian Head of State our two nations and states are linked through shared aspiration to stand up for their independence and growing well-being, and the values which originate from our cultures are certainly facilitating the further development of our cooperation. .
In Etchmiadzin President Rüütel familiarized himself with the Treasury-Museum and visited the Holy Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, the construction of which was started as early as in 301 AD when Armenia adopted Christianity.
On Monday, Mrs. Ingrid Rüütel, in the course of a special programme visited the Armenian Centre for Fine Arts, where about 400 students learn the art of metalwork, woodwork, ceramics, carpet making, graphics and many other arts. Mrs. Rüütel visited also the National History Museum and the studio of Armenian painter Lusik Agulets.
Public Relations Unit of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, November 16, 2004
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